Hello Fellow Saturners -- I have posted once before about my P0442 SES code that keeps coming up. Saturn mechanics don't seem to have any answer! On 6/10/03 2 days after 36-month warranty expired and 1 week after state inspection, and with only 12996 miles on car I brought car to Saturn Service because of SES code (of P0442). "Tech inspected and found all operations to be normal -- tech noted if concern persists owner will need to leave vehicle for the day to remove fuel tank." On 6/18/03 I again presented car to Saturn Service with same code: Diagnose SES lite -- tech inspected and found code P0442 -- tech removed tank and replaced the fuel pump seal as the 1st step of a diagnostic repair -- drove vehicle for several miles and lite did not return. No charge for repair -- due to just out of factory warranty." On 7/8/03 I again presented car to Saturn Service: "Tech diagnosed SES light and found code P0442, evap code. "Tech checked system and replaced canister purge solenoid which was faulty." On 7/25/03 again presented car to Saturn Service: Diagnosed computer to have stored code P0442. Road tested car and all systems checked out to be operating as designed. Unable to duplicate code condition. As a diagnostic step/ most probable cause, we replaced the fuel vapor pressure sensor. NMo charge to customer ///// goodwill On 8/12/03 again presented car to Saturn Service: "Diagnosed the Service Engine Soon Light to be coming on due to code P0442. All systems check out good. Unable to duplicate condition We replaced the purge solenoid as a diagnostic step to see if code does not reset. No charge to customer. Prior to the 7/25 visit I phoned Saturn Customer Service in Tennessee and all they coud promise was that they would contact my dealer. Does anyone have any suggestions as to what may be the cause of the problem? Does anyone have a suggestion as to how I should approach Saturn about this problem. Each time I bring in my car, I end up having to leave it overnight and inconvenience other people in family for transportation. Should I get rid of the car? These guys seem to have no idea how to fix this. George.
Should I get rid of the car? These guys seem to have no idea how to You want to get rid of the car just because the service engine soon light comes on? If the stored code or problem doesn't cause any driveability or mileage problems, I wouldn't see it as that drastic. If your current retailer's service department can't take care of it, try a different one and you may have better luck. Or, put a piece of black electrical tape over the service engine soon light. Granted, that's not the proper way to address the problem. But if Saturn themselves and all their techs can't figure it out with all their equipment and hands on it, it probably isn't likely we can take care of it here. Sorry. If this is emissions related - isn't there a longer warranty on that stuff (longer than the 3/36)? Lane [ l a n e @ p a i r . c o m ]
Yes there is an yes it is. Saturn's not fixing it for free out of 'goodwill', they're fixing it for free because federal laws says they must. Let them keep at it - if they want to bill you, remind them that the car is under a federally mandated emissions warrenty, and that they can be big trouble if they start charging you for this stuff - EVAP is most certainly an emissions component and therefore is under the warrenty (which is like 5 years 50k miles). EVAP's a cool system anyway - you want it working.
I checked my Haynes Repair Manual and the P0 codes are for OBD II modules. The manual does not list anything for P0442 code. This link talks about Ford OBD-II evap modules with code P0442. This was done using a search for "code P0442". http://www.asashop.org/autoinc/feb2002/techtips.cfm IF that doesn't help, then check www.alldata.com and look for the year of your model under the Technical Service Bulletins to see if there is any information about P0442. A check of my model year shows a few TSB's with P0 codes. Good luck Red Dragon
Upon further investigation, I found this link which is a GM tech help service and it describes what you are experiencing and the recommended service to correct the problem. http://service.gm.com/techlink/html_en/c200104.html This is the April 2001 techlink which describes the seal between the sender and the gas tank as allowing air into the gas tank which results in the rate of rise as described in the tech tip link below. It gives the replacement seal number to alleviate this problem which seems to be found mostly on 2000-2001 Cavaliers, Grand Ams, Sunfires and Alero's. You will need Acrobat Reader to read the PDF file. Red Dragon
It sounds like they're just randomly replacing parts instead of following the proper service procedure and doing the proper diagnosis. Did it occur to them that if they're seeing an "evaporative emissions system - small leak" code, it might be due to a leak in the evaporative system? Did they do a pressure test?
Further follow up Check this official GM site which describes the P0442 problem and resolution. This was from April 2001. http://service.gm.com/techlink/html_en/c200104.html You will need Acrobat reader to view the document that is linked as it is a PDF file. Red Dragon
There can be plenty of causes of this diagnostic code. The problem described in that document doesn't apply to this vehicle..
George ...hit enter too soon . I think the diagnostic procedure is to basically pressurize the EVAP system and listen with a super sensative stethascope type setup ( they were required tools at the dealer ) . Then you would basically sniff around the car for the sound of escaping air. Pretty straight foward and easy to do . The most common problem I would find is that the fuel filler neck plastic would get nicked by sticking the nozzle in . You could often visually see the gouge/nick with your eyes once the general area was nailed down. That isnt to say this is your problem or that a more "common" cause has arisen in the last 3yrs since I worked @ Saturn but it is a realistic guess. I would definitely ask them for a good reason why they havent found the problem yet ....is the lite on when you take it in or is it intermittent?
